STARNBERG, September 16, 2026
Rafael Jodar is experiencing an intense period in the days leading up to his debut for the Spanish Generali Davis Cup team in this weekend’s tie in Santiago de Chile. The 19-year-old arrives with the label of one of the great sensations of world tennis in 2026 and with constant attention surrounding his every move, both on and off the court.
“It’s true that everything is happening very quickly, but in the end I’m enjoying it. I’m still keeping my feet on the ground and remain the same humble person I was two years ago, which I think is helping me a lot. That is also thanks to all the people who genuinely appreciate me and want the best for me,” said Jodar, quoted by the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET).
“I can see that I can compete against most of the players on the tour in my first year, which means I’m doing things very well. Little by little, I’m getting into the rhythm of competing against very different opponents who have very different styles.”
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“I’m going to have to improve my level of tennis a lot”
At the same time, Jodar is aware of what it will take to remain among the world’s best.
“If you want to be among the best players in the world for many years, you have to look after every detail down to the smallest thing and do everything very well. You have to know that there will be moments when things don’t go the way you want, but you have to accept those moments, overcome them and always maintain a positive mindset of continuing to improve little by little.”
The already top-15 player also recognises that his rapid rise is only the beginning.
“If I want to continue getting good results, I’m going to have to improve my level of tennis a lot. I’m going to have to learn a lot about dealing with playing many tournaments in a year, competing against different opponents every week or even at every tournament.”
Jodar deliberately avoids comparisons.
“The journey is about enjoying the process and improving little by little. It’s my first year on the tour, I know there are still many things to improve and everything that happens to me this year will be new for me and will be new experiences.”
“I’ve got to where I am by working little by little”
With his 20th birthday just one day away, Jodar also clears up a detail about his background. He was born in Madrid, not Leganes, as is often thought.
“I played at Club de Tenis Chamartín from the age of six. I grew up in Madrid and spent all my childhood there.”
On a personal level, Jodar admits that the events of the past year have taught him something about himself.
“I’m discovering that I’m a brave person,” he says, adding that “having to deal with everything that surrounds the tournaments is difficult for someone so young, and I feel that I’m handling all those kinds of things very well.”
He describes himself as “a very hard-working person.”
“I’ve got to where I am by working little by little, being very humble, keeping my feet on the ground and going step by step, following my process and not thinking about bigger things. That’s the mentality my father and my whole family have passed on to me.”
“We are trying to learn from every mistake we make”
The presence of his father alone in the player box at most tournaments has attracted attention from fans and the media. Jodar acknowledges that this is unusual on tour.
“It’s something unusual on the circuit, because all the players, or most of them, have many people in their box. It’s the first year and we’re trying to learn from every mistake we make and from the things that go well. This year it’s working.”
He also emphasises the close relationship they have shared for many years.
“We get along very well. We’ve had a very good relationship since I was very young and he has always helped me a lot and always wants the best for me.”
Away from tennis, Jodar’s interests are refreshingly simple. His hobbies include spending time with friends, going to the cinema, watching live sport and visiting the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I really like Real Madrid. I try to live a normal life as much as possible, and those are my hobbies – trying to watch a series and just taking things easy.”
